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Binding This department lias bound 2,268 volumes this year, has rebound or repaired '624 volumes, and has stamped all accessions with the Library crest and the .appropriate classification numbers. It has also done other odd jobs for the library such as printing signs for displays and making small boxes for various purposes. It has given excellent service. Copyright Again this year there has been a large increase in New Zealand publications, 517 receipts having been issued for books received under the Copyright Act, 1913, an increase of 101 compared with last year's figures. This necessarily brings additional work in cataloguing the books and in the preparation of the monthly and annual copyright lists, for which the demand, both here and abroad, to grow. The General Assembly Library co-operates with the National Library Centre in its production of catalogue cards for New Zealand books, a service recommended by the New Zealand Library Association. International Exchange As agents of the International Exchange our work continues to grow, 3,684 packages having been received this year and despatched to other institutions and addresses in New Zealand. The figures for the two previous years were 3,098 (1947-48) and 1,956 (1946-47). The Library received, in addition, 14 cases -of material for its own use. Newspaper Collection • During the recess there has been a complete reorganization of the newspaper '■• collection, which has entailed the shifting of some 8,500 volumes. The old basement now houses New Zealand newspapers only and- the new basement the ■overseas volumes. This arrangement has been made possible by the provision '■of a fireproof door which gives ready access to the new premises. Microfilm copies of the London Times prior to 1844 have been acquired, and the Library now has complete files of this paper, as far as that is possible. A microfilm reader is on its way to New Zealand and should be available soon for the use of Members. This valuable set should prove of great service to research students who use the Library. In preparation for the alterations to the ground floor stackroom, where provision is to be made for a more adequate staff-room, some of the official papers of the overseas dominions (principally debates) have been moved also -to the new basement. Further shelving is required to complete this section so that volumes of •newspapers at present inadequately stored may be placed in proper order. The work of indexing the early Wellington newspapers has been started and two and a half years, commencing with the first issue of the New Zealand *Gazette and Britannia Spectator, have been dealt with. The index has already proved useful in answering questions dealing with our early history. Visitors Some thousands of people visit the Library annually. This year we were privileged to meet Sir Gilbert Campion, former Clerk of the British House of Commons, Sir Stanley Unwin, and Sir John Falconer.

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